I’ve been talking with my clients about courage a lot recently, it’s a really common theme and comes up in all sorts of different ways.
Although we don’t generally like to talk about it, lots of leaders, including men, struggle with fear.
As leaders, we can expect of ourselves to be fearless, to lean in and find our courage, but are these the same thing, or is there a distinction that helps us become better leaders?
Courage vs. Fearlessness
At first glance, courage and fearlessness seem similar – they both involve taking risks and pushing through challenges. But they are two verrrry different things.
Fearlessness is defined as having no fear or worry; it implies that you don’t feel threatened by anything.
Courage, however, involves recognizing your fears but pushing forward anyway in spite of them. It takes courage to step into unknowns and take on difficult challenges even when you know there is risk involved.
The Benefits of Courage
Being brave isn’t just about taking risks; it’s also about understanding yourself better and embracing your strengths (and weaknesses). Courage helps you become aware of your fears so that you can make informed decisions about how to proceed in life and work. It also allows you to create meaningful connections with others because it takes vulnerability to express yourself honestly. Courage gives you the confidence to stand up for what you believe in – and that can make all the difference!
How To Cultivate Courage
Cultivating courage doesn’t happen overnight; it requires practice and dedication over time. Start by acknowledging your fears without judging or shaming yourself – this will help you gain insight into why certain things scare you, which can give you greater clarity when making decisions down the line. Make a list of the things just outside your comfort zone, and then tackle them one at a time, focus on taking action, not measuring yourself on specific outcomes. Then focus on cultivating self-compassion; be kinder to yourself by forgiving mistakes and celebrating successes (no matter how small). As you do this, your courage will grow.
To sum up
Having courage doesn’t mean never being afraid; everyone is afraid sometimes, rather, it means recognizing your fears but still having the strength to push through them anyway.
This kind of bravery requires practice over time – and if done correctly, it can help leaders become more effective and more aware of themselves while also creating meaningful connections with others around them.
In order to be successful, we need to know the difference between courage and fearlessness.
